Hi HD!
I was linked here from
http://www.pixeljoint.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9818 on the Pixel Joint forums, and just about had a heart attack! I don't know if I've just been leading a sheltered life, or what, but this is probably the most impressive stuff I've ever seen. Without the probably.
I didn't even notice the link to the movie clip that inspired this until after I had fallen into complete love with this project. Thus, I have no qualms whatsoever with any of the conceptual decisions you've made. I instantly read the environment as a colony on an alien world and was rather gobsmacked by the visually arresting look of the orange and white concrete and paint style, garnished so well with the great foliage.
And then, to add to this feast, came that wonderful player character! A vision in blue and white to perfectly complement the red enemies. How did you know that the gorilla was my favourite primate? They have such power, grace, and soul - and are far more lovable and sympathetic than, say, chimps, even though they aren't as closely related to us. And decked out in that full rig of armour - I tell you it's hard to come across something that really stands out when you get bombarded daily with countless amounts of visual information online, but your PlayApe stopped me cold, cleared my buffers, and made me take notice. (though I
really miss the shoulder armour that balanced the design style, and helped the character read as some kind of transorganic living vehicle - there's just not enough blue and white on the body without it!)
I love how the rendering, and resolution, give this all the charm of a classic sidescroller (I'm a SNES and Mega Drive guy, I have to admit, and pine for the 'glory days' of pixelled gaming) but with the eye-popping benefits of modern 3-D graphics (though having to chase down those dratted orbs every time they pop
is a little annoying...).
Most of all I'm impressed by how quickly the project has advanced, and the dedication you've shown to it (I'm all too familiar with the endless stream of unfinished mockups posted all over online that never even progress to a playable demo).
My only regret is that I'm not yet accomplished enough for my praise to be as
significant as I want it to be! I'm just a writer, artist, and game designer trying to learn pixelling so I can branch into making my own games - but now I know it's people like you I'm trying to become as good as!
Love love love this!
Please please please keep it coming!
Hotly Anticipating in Eagerville,
JD
